To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, a thrilling weekend will be held on April 6-8 with a variety of engaging and exhilarating activities. The UNC Science Expo, expected to attract approximately 10,000 people, will take place on April 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds around the planetarium, McCorkle Place, and along Franklin Street.
The event will feature over 100 booths manned by students, faculty, researchers, and others offering free hands-on activities and science demonstrations. Additionally, there will be live science demonstrations, stage performances by the Bouncing Bulldogs jump rope team, and opportunities for lab tours. Morehead Planetarium will also be open during the event, allowing attendees to purchase tickets for a full-dome planetarium show. Food trucks will be available nearby.
The celebration continues on April 8 with a total solar eclipse watch party from 12:30-4:45 p.m., weather permitting. Free hands-on activities and outdoor sun-viewing stations will be available at this event with science educators on hand to assist with eclipse viewing. Eclipse glasses can be purchased for $2 outside or at Cosmic Goods inside for an additional fee of $10 per person to attend the Carolina Skies: Solar Eclipse presentation which includes a livestream of the eclipse from totality on the Science Stage, activities in the Launch Lab, and access to other exhibits.
Todd Boyette, director of Morehead Planetarium and Science Center stated that this solar eclipse watch party is one of his favorite moments during his tenure at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. With record-breaking attendance at UNC Science Expo in addition to old colleagues returning to celebrate this occasion along with attendees being able to witness this unique event – it’s clear that April promises to be an exciting time at Morehead! The UNC Science Expo is part of North Carolina Science Festival 2024 which features over 400 science-themed events across the state in April – so don’t miss out! Check out NCSciFest.org for more information about these events happening near you!
